Fate of Sir Guy Carleton school building still unknown

Suspected arson damaged century-old structure

Naoibh O'Connor, Vancouver Courier
Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2008

District officials are waiting for reports from an insurance adjuster and a structural engineer before deciding the fate of a century-old school building seriously damaged by fire a week ago.

It's uncertain whether Sir Guy Carleton, a designated heritage building, can be rehabilitated or if it will have to be levelled and rebuilt.

"We've got fire restoration people involved and we need to find out how much work is actually going to have to be done--how much of the structure has been compromised by fire is the basic question," explained Doug McClary, manager of maintenance and construction for the Vancouver School Board.

The two-classroom structure is one of four buildings on the Carleton elementary site at the corner of Kingsway and Joyce. It was constructed more than 110 years ago and housed two kindergarten classes, which have since been moved into the main building.

The blaze, a suspected arson, started on the main doorway into the school on its east side, travelled up the face the structure and jumped into and spread through the attic.

McClary said the flames damaged the ceiling and attic, while the building interior was flooded with water from efforts to douse the fire.

"There's places where the ceiling is right open to the attic," he said. "There are places where you can see through the roof in the attic. We have tarped it at this point."

Some neighbours reported to police they saw a youth running from the site, according to McClary, although he wasn't sure if arson was confirmed or not.

School board chair Clarence Hansen said he hadn't visited the site since the damage, but that it would be a shame if the old school had to be knocked down.
"I think we're all best to hold off before making any kind of announcement that it can't be [saved]," he said. "It's going to come down to the structure and what they can do with it. I would hope that they would try to save it. We have a strong group of heritage advocates in the city, and I would hope we're going to give our best efforts there."

The school's name, which was originally Vancouver East School, was changed to Sir Guy Carleton in 1911. Carleton, first baron of Dorchester, was a British soldier and administrator who was born in Strabane, Ireland, according to the school website. He arrived in Canada in 1758 and was an officer in the French and Indian War. He commanded the British troops in Canada during the American revolution and repelled U.S. General Benedict Arnold's attack. He became governor of British North America in 1786-'96.